When starting a business, it is essential to have a clear plan and to be well-prepared. The entrepreneurial path can be challenging, especially if you need to become more familiar with the business landscape. Building a great team to work with you is one of the most important aspects of being an entrepreneur.
Business owners cannot do it alone. A study by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation found that businesses with two or more founders are 50% less likely to fail than businesses with a single founder.
However, that isn’t to say how you structure your team will guarantee success. A study by the Harvard Business School found that the most successful startups have a team with diverse skills, including individuals with industry experience, technical expertise, and business acumen.
The most important thing is to surround yourself with people who complement your skill set and who you can trust to help you grow your business.
Here are a few tips on how to build a great team.
Define Your Essential Roles
The first step is determining which roles are essential to your business. This will vary depending on the type of business you are starting, but some important parts are typically needed in any industry. These roles might include a CEO, CFO, CTO, marketing manager, sales manager, and product manager.
Once you have identified the essential roles, you can start thinking about who you would like to fill those positions. Considering the skills and experience each person would bring to the role, their personality, and how they would fit into your company culture is necessary.
However, your financial resources might require you to take a slower approach to fill these roles. You can hire one or two key players and then build your team.
Look for Team Players
When looking for people to join your team, it is important to find individuals who are good at what they do and work well with others. A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that the most successful teams are those where each member felt a sense of responsibility for the group’s success or failure.
To assess whether someone would be a good team player, you can interview them about their previous experiences working on a team and ask them to describe a time when they had to work with someone they didn’t get along with at work. It is also helpful to allow them to meet some of your other team members before making a final decision.
Create a Compelling Company Culture
Your company culture will play a significant role in attracting the right people to your team. Candidates should be able to tell if they would fit in with your company’s values and work style from how you present yourself online and in person.
To create a strong company culture, start by clarifying your mission and values. These can be used to guide all of your hiring and business decisions. It is also essential to provide employees with perks and benefits that align with your culture. For example, if you value work-life balance, you might offer flexible hours or remote working options.
You can also use company culture to retain top talent. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that employees are more likely to stay with a company if they feel like they are part of a community.
Utilize Recruitment Sourcing Services
Finding high-quality talent will be challenging, especially when you do it yourself. However, a reliable recruitment sourcing service can help you reach a wider pool of candidates.
Many sourcing services are available, from general job boards to specific niche sites. Using multiple sources will give you the best chance of finding the right person for your team.
When you post a job on a sourcing site, include information about your company culture and what you are looking for in a candidate. This will help you attract people who are a good fit for your team.
Recruitment sourcing services can also help you find mid-level employees to support your key players. These employees might not have the same experience or skills, but they can be trained to do their job well.
Invest in Employee Development
Once you have built your team, it is essential to invest in their development. This includes providing training and resources to improve their skills and performance. It also means creating opportunities for them to grow within the company.
According to a study by the Association for Talent Development, organizations that invest in employee development are 12 times more likely to report increased profits than those that don’t. They are also more likely to retain top talent and attract new employees.
Employee development can take many forms, from online courses to on-the-job training. You can also provide opportunities for employees to attend conferences and networking events.
Final Thoughts
Building a solid team is essential to the success of your business. However, finding the right people takes time and effort, and creating a company culture that attracts and retains top talent. By utilizing recruitment sourcing services and investing in employee development, you can set your business up for success.
